RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Quality of life in asthmatic children “a comparative study of patients' and parents' perceptions” JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP p4259 VO 38 IS Suppl 55 A1 Malak Shaheen A1 Samer Mostafa A1 Eman Zaki YR 2011 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4259.abstract AB Background: Pediatric asthma is one of the most important public health problems. Pediatric pulmonologists are not only responsible for clinical relief of children's symptoms but also for ensuring a better quality of life for them and their families.Aim of the work: The present study investigated the Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for pediatric asthmatic patients and their caregivers.Methods: This study comprised 80 children and their parents. They were classified into two groups. Group I (40 known asthmatic children) and group II (40 matched healthy children). All children were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, pulmonary function tests and assessment of Pediatric Quality of Life using PedsQL™ Inventory both Child Self Report and Parent Proxy Report.Results: In the current study, HRQOL (physical, emotion, social, school and psychosocial health) showed significant lower scores both in asthmatic children and their caregivers compared to controls (p < 0.01). Patients with severe asthma reported significantly the lowest overall HRQOL (HRQOL scores were negatively correlated to asthma severity scores and positively correlated to pulmonary function parameters). However; both asthmatic children and their caregivers suffered significant lower total HRQOL, the caregivers had significant lower values compared to their children (p < 0.05). Also, the differential perception of HRQOL of the assessed categories was significantly different between asthmatic children and their parents.In conclusion, childhood asthma leads to lowering the HRQOL of asthmatic children and their families; however parents are more vulnerable for worse quality of life.